Primitivo is the King of the Westside tapas bars. Chef Eddy Shin earned his stripes working with the famed Patina group for seven years. Now his eclectic menu veers towards multiple genres, merging simple sensibility with complex flavors.

Braised Short Ribs, Bacon-wrapped Dates, Four-Cheese Gnocchi, and Tiger Shrimp are a few of the superb dishes served in a candlelit dining room.

A regionally diverse list features over 300 wines, with obscure selections from India, Croatia, China and Canada, alongside the Barolos and Chateauneuf du Pape. The wine descriptions are poetically coherent, and helpfully suggests food pairings.

The garden patio is lovely during warmer nights. A seat at the bar guarantees an oenophile discussion with the locals.